A COMMEMORATION begins with a bugle sounding The Last Post at noon on Saturday to remember an historic victory 65 years ago, without which today’s General and local elections would not be taking place. May 8 is the 65th anniversary of VE Day, Victory in Europe

By Mike Brooke

A COMMEMORATION begins with a bugle sounding The Last Post at noon on Saturday to remember an historic victory 65 years ago, without which today’s General and local elections would not be taking place.

May 8 is the 65th anniversary of VE Day, Victory in Europe. It was the official end of hostilities in Europe in the Second World War in May, 1945, following the formal, unconditional surrender of all German armed forces on land, sea and air.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill told the people of Britain that day: “This is your victory.”

VE Day is a national celebration, yet also one of reflection for those who did not return.

Saturday’s service beginning at 12 noon at The Cenotaph in Whitehall celebrates the achievements of Britain, its Commonwealth and Allies in the victory against Hitler’s Nazi tyranny.

It also pays tribute to the 580,400 British and Commonwealth Forces personnel and 67,000 UK civilians who lost their lives during six long years of conflict.

The war from 1939 to 45, in which 55 million souls perished across Europe, Asia, North Africa and the Pacific, ended the Holocaust and global fascism.

It kept democracy in tact for future generations where the people choose their government in freedom.

Representatives of Britain’s new government, which ever party wins Westminster in today’s General Election, will join the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, defence chiefs, members of today’s Armed Forces and veterans of the world’s biggest conflict that ended 65 years ago.

They pay tribute to those who lost their yesterdays so that we can vote today... Don’t waste that precious vote, for the sake of those who made that sacrifice.